TUCSON– House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) reacted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit’s rejection of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s request for an injunction to halt construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), a nearly 1,200-mile pipeline that would be built near sacred tribal land and put the reservation’s main water supply at risk:

“While I’m disappointed by the court’s decision, I’m encouraged that the Obama administration will continue to halt construction of the pipeline near Standing Rock’s sacred land and main water supply,” said Grijalva. “I call on Dakota Access to continue to heed the government’s request to pause all construction activity within 20 miles east or west of Lake Oahe in North Dakota as the Army Corps of Engineers continues to evaluate its permitting decision. Continuing construction of the pipeline before a decision is made by the Army Corps of Engineers would be disrespectful given the tribe’s strong cultural, environmental and historic connection to the regions land and water.”

The court’s order acknowledged that while the tribe did not meet the legal requirements for an injunction, its denial was a narrow decision and “not the final word” on the tribe’s complaint about consultation. Per the order, “a necessary easement still awaits government approval.” Yesterday the Departments of Justice, Army, and Interior issued a joint statement urging the pipeline company to “voluntarily pause all construction activity” around Lake Oahe until the Army Corps of Engineers concludes its ongoing review.